In with the new

We’re not picking on Lee Sherbeyn, despite evidence seemingly to the contrary — namely, the frequency with which he seems to show up in this space.

We’re just not crazy about a couple of the initial decisions at which the new Cedar Run District supervisor has arrived.

The matter of his planning commission appointment, for instance. And now this: his announcement, as we covered in Wednesday’s edition, of monthly townhall meetings.

We’re all for taking the pulse of the voters, we’re all for transparency in government. Heaven knows, we’re all for communicating. But the whole notion seems so...stale.

Does Mr. Sherbeyn really need a formal monthly meeting to know what’s on his constituents’ minds? Does Chester Stribling, the Lee District supervisor who plans to share the dais with him at these sessions?

To make sure that these evenings are sufficiently entertaining, the two supervisors intend to invite a county government department head to do a presentation.

If you are dying to know how a county department functions, chances are you already do. If you aren’t on such pins and needles, chances are you will need the assistance of a very strong cup of coffee to make it through the night.

We are a little dismissive of all this because, well, we had hoped that new blood on the board might usher in some new ideas.

Like this for instance: If Mr. Sherbeyn wants to hold a monthly meeting, why not go up to, say Marshall District and have a session with those voters, to hear what’s on their minds? Meanwhile, Peter Schwartz could host the get-together at the Remington Lions Club toward the same goal.

If Mr. Stribling wants to participate, perhaps he and Holder Trumbo could change places, with the former hosting Scott District voters, the latter joining Mr. Schwartz in southern Fauquier.

Two hundred, perhaps 300 people crowding into the Lions Club on a Wednesday, as Mr. Sherbeyn estimated?

Maybe. With a couple of kegs and a band.